We have 1,065 Computer Science PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Computer Science PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

We have 1,065 Computer Science PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

PhDs in Computer Science are doctoral research degrees that allow students to deeply explore a particular aspect of computing and technology.

Specifics vary drastically between programmes, but may involve research into the complexities of algorithms, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the impact of computing technologies on society.

Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Computer Science, Mathematics, or Engineering. A relevant Masters degree may also be required depending on the programme.

Why study a PhD in Computer Science?

Develop Skills and Knowledge

A PhD in Computer Science allows you to not only develop your own knowledge of Computer Science, but also to make a unique, original contribution to the subject as a whole. By doing so, you will hone a variety of transferable skills, such as:

  • Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to design, conduct, and analyse complex research projects.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Expertise in evaluating computing theories and practices to address challenges.
  • Communication and Presentation Skills: Proficiency in effectively conveying ideas and findings to diverse audiences.

Further Career Development

If you're hoping for a career in academia, a PhD is typically required. Other research-based careers may likewise require a PhD, and even when they don't, employers will value the research skills and knowledge developed during your degree. For more information, please visit our PhD employability guide.

After completing your PhD in Computer Science, a potential career option might be employment as a Computer Systems Engineer. According to UK salary data from Glassdoor, a Computer Systems Engineer earns an average of £36,166 per year, dependent on factors such as experience, employer and employment location.

Improve Employability

Completing a PhD may also improve your employability. According to the UK government's LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes survey, 82% of Computer Science PhD students were in further education or employment three years after graduation.

What do prospective Computer Science PhD students think about study?

We host the Pulse postgraduate survey to understand the motivations, concerns and expectations of students just like you. For prospective Computer Science PhD students in 2023:

  • 76% were either positive or very positive about employment after graduation.
  • 71% preferred on campus learning, 10% preferred online/distance learning, and 19% preferred a blended approach.
  • 18% were interested in part-time study.
  • In order of popularity, the top three study motivations were:
    • Subject interest
    • Challenge
    • Career progress

If you'd like to make your voice heard, why not complete our survey? Your feedback will help us ensure our site is as helpful as possible for students like you!

Note: This guidance was produced with the assistance of AI. However, all data is derived from reliable, authoratitive sources, and all content has been reviewed by humans.

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AI for Resilient Self-Assembling Robotic Matter: Strengths, Vulnerabilities and Defense

  Research Group: Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Lab
What happens when a robot can rebuild its body after damage? Resilient modular machines could continue functioning despite losing parts or connections, but their ability to recover also raises a security question. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr S Miyashita
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Magnetically Controlled Miniature Robots for In-Brain Microsurgery

  Research Group: Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Lab
Can a robot approximately the size of a grain of rice navigate within an intracranial environment and perform precisely controlled microsurgical actions? This project will investigate miniature robotic technology for future minimally invasive interventions inside the brain, bringing together robot design, magnetic actuation and control. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr S Miyashita
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Edmond and Lily Safra PhD Studentship in Parkinson's Disease

Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD studentship funded by the Edmond J. Safra Foundation within Dr Cynthia Sandor’s group in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London. Read more
 Supervisor: Dr CS Sandor
 30 November 2026  PhD Research Project  Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Western Sydney University Research Scholarships – Spring Release

 PhD and Professional Doctorate scholarships at Western Sydney University, Australia. Applications are invited from high-achieving domestic and eligible international candidates commencing research in January 2027. Read more
 Funded PhD Programme (Students Worldwide)  Australia PhD Programme
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Development and Application of a Generative 3D Cell Morphable Model for Blood-Cell Morphodynamics

This iCASE project addresses a critical bottleneck in blood-cell morphodynamics. high-throughput blood-smear platforms capture large-scale clinical 2D cell images, but the smearing process physically flattens cells onto glass, destroying the 3D nuclear and cellular geometry that encodes mechanics and cell state. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr SY Yuan, Dr O Maiques Carlos, Prof G Slabaugh, Dr A Braun
 1 December 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
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Engineering plant cells circuitries for multiparametric high-throughput platforms for weed control (EngCiWeCo)

Rationale and Importance. Developing physiologically relevant screening platforms for weed-control compounds in adult plants is slow, low-throughput, and requires large chemical inputs. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof A Devoto, Prof RM Mott
 1 December 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Trustworthy Agentic Large Language Models for Privacy-Preserving Intrusion Detection

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project. The PhD will be based in the School of Computing, Mathematics and Physics and will be supervised by Dr Rahim Taheri, Prof. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr R Taheri, Dr I Jordanov, Dr M Ghahremani
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Defining the role of protein glutathionylation in proteostasis and cellular stress adaptation

Protein glutathionylation is a reversible post-translational modification in which glutathione is added to protein cysteine residues. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof K Thalassinos, Dr JL Labbadia, Dr JL Langridge, Dr DCS Cooper-Shepherd
 1 December 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Visual Coding of Objects During Free Movement

When an object moves across a visual field, its cause is ambiguous. the motion could be self-generated by observer locomotion, or externally driven by an independent object. Read more
 Supervisors: Prof A Saleem, Dr GL Lopes, Prof AL Landau, Dr AE Erskine
 1 December 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Pre-Implementation Evaluation of AI-Supported Menopause Group Consultations

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project. The PhD will be based in the School of Computing, Mathematics and Physics and will be supervised by Dr Taiwo Adedeji and Dr Elisavet Andrikopoulou. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr T Adedeji, Dr E Andrikopoulou
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Reconstructing Cellular Architecture in 3D: Integrated Nanoscale Imaging of Organelles, Molecules and Tissue Structure

The objective of this project is to develop and apply novel high-resolution quantitative imaging approaches capable of mapping the organelles and structures that constitute cells in three dimensions and within their physiological tissue context. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr F Pichaud, Dr S Simoncelli
 1 December 2026  PhD Research Project  Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
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Artificial Intelligence Approaches to Diabetic Foot Ulcer Risk Identification and Early Intervention

This PhD will design, develop, and evaluate AI-based approaches to diabetes foot ulcer (DFU) prevention, from risk identification, clinical decision support up to the data quality challenges that underpin reliable model development. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr E Andrikopoulou, Dr G Golcarenarenji, Dr T Adedeji
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Cybersecurity in Next Generation Connected Infrastructures: From 5G and 6G to IoT and Digital Twins

The convergence of 5G and 6G networks, the Internet of Things, edge computing, digital twins, and cyber physical systems is reshaping the global cybersecurity landscape at an unprecedented pace. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr N Anjum, Dr K Kanta, Dr M Adda
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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AI applications in Health Technologies

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project. The PhD will be based in the School of Computing, Mathematics and Physics and will be supervised by Dr Rinat Khusainov and Dr Richard Curry. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr R Khusainov, Dr R Curry
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only
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Intelligent Multimodal Sensing and Motion Intention Recognition for Adaptive Human-Robot Collaboration

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project. The PhD will be based in the School of Computing and will be supervised by Dr Dalin Zhou, Dr Xin Zhang, and Dr Xia Han. Read more
 Supervisors: Dr D Zhou, Dr X Han
 Year round applications  PhD Research Project  Self-Funded PhD Students Only